Adjustable post for container

ABSTRACT

A container ( 41 ) has adjustable-span support posts ( 52 )—to accommodate load height diversity and to meet external tunnel gauge through passage constraints—upstanding from a deck ( 46 ), with extendible post elements ( 53 )—by multiple indexed, connector bar latching—carrying capture and handling fittings ( 54 ), accessed by localised extension above a load. Optional transverse post bracing is through a header beam ( 55 ), with optional arched profile, and/or coupled gate pairs upon opposed posts.

Some provision for varying, or adjusting, the configuration ofcontainers, for (freight) transport and storage is known.

Such variability can be achieved by adjusting, re-locating, or evensubstituting altogether, certain key structural elements, such aselongate (support) struts, posts or ties, which define or reflect theoverall container dimensional span, in particular height or depth inrelation to a base platform.

Support Post Adjustability for Deck Variability

The Applicant's co-pending PCT(exUK) Patent Application No WO98/09889(GB97/02319) envisages deck support post adjustability, in the contextof deck position and orientation variability—for multiple mutuallyentrained decks within a common support structure.

Similarly, the Applicant's co-pending UK Patent Application No * * *envisages deck support post adjustability, in the context of deckposition and orientation variability—for multiple independent deckmodule stacking.

Adjustability—Nature and Purpose

In principle, adjustability, or variability could be of diverse ‘nature’and ‘purpose’.

Nature, or characteristic, includes, say, height, depth (eg longitudinalextent—in the case of elongate elements), span, inclination or tilting,folding, location, mobility, demountability, or some combination of someor all such modes of variability.

Purpose, or rationale, includes meeting ‘internal’ dimensional andvolumetric capacity requirements, and ‘external’, outer boundary, orperipheral constraints.

Internal means accommodating, or fitting around, a particular loadprofile and (base) footprint.

External means fitting within an outer (cross-sectional) profile, suchas a (railway) tunnel gauge—to allow continuous passage, when intransit.

Flexible & Temporary

Yet variability in such internal or external demand factors, must beconsistent with conformity to containerisation standards.

Thus (profile and/or dimensional) variability may be contrived as atemporary, flexible, measure.

Specifically, departure from containerisation standards is admitted—aswhen, say, a particular load or transport route dictates greatercompactness, with reversion—say, at docking stations—for handling and(un)loading.

Variability also risks introducing penalties of constructional andoperational complexity, with attendant issues of reliability, safety,serviceability and maintenance.

Rigidity—Bracing

Overall torsional rigidity, against racking or lozenging, or departurefrom a rectangular profile or geometry, must also be preserved.

Transverse, or diagonal, bracing for stabilisation must also allow, orbe consistent with, configurational variability.

Transverse bracing includes so-called header beams, disposed at theupper end of support posts, a particular version of which is taught inpublished PCT Application WO90/01007(JP89/00724).

‘Elegant’ mechanical solutions are therefor desirable, forcost-effective installation and operation.

Collapsibility

Overall collapsibility of the container may also be a requirement, suchas for compact stacking and ‘return—empty/unladen’ conditions.

Variable Span

Telescopic

In terms of variable span, telescopic configurations, with complementaryinter-fitting elements are convenient.

Thus, a telescopic leg or strut, with a locking pin and receiving holealignment, in a selected one of an array of multiple sites, has beenproposed.

Folding

Similarly, a folding post, or rather a folding end portion has beenproposed in WO90/01007.

Stacking Multiple Discrete Elements

An ‘incremental’, ‘piecemeal’, or multiple discrete element, (corner)support post construction is also known, by stacking individual(mutually entrained or discrete/severable) post elements, one uponanother.

Integrated Manual Adjustment

Some aspects of the present invention address (corner) support postlength, depth or span variability, or adjustment, through integrated, oron-board manual provision.

At any given adjustment level or station, the overall containerstructure must remain rigid and braced, in order to withstand(suspension or stacking) handling loads.

Similarly, the disposition geometry of post-mounted (end) ‘capture’fittings must conform to prescribed standards for container handling andstacking.

Open-Top Containers

In certain, so-called open-top, container configurations—where a loadcan protrude locally (beyond a container framework profile)—some(corner) support post adjustability can be employed, in order topreserve access to handling and support capture fittings, by takingthose very fittings outside or beyond the load confines.

An example is an open-top container with a load, confined or boundedlaterally by peripheral side walls, but allowed to protrude locallyabove nominal roof level.

Extendable (corner) support posts could allow the (corner) support postend capture fittings for container handling and support to be broughtbeyond the load profile.

In this way, standard container capture frames for crane lifts can stillaccess, address and co-operatively interact with, on-board containersupport and handling capture fittings, at the (upper) end of each(corner) support post.

That said, even otherwise open-top containers benefit from transversebracing, most conveniently at the upper ends of ((corner) support)posts.

Bracing

Another aspect of the present invention is concerned with adjustabilityof such transverse bracing provision.

Thus, for example, in one variant, a header beam is carried at the upperends of extendible ((corner) support) posts.

Alternatively, a header beam is held captive toward the upper end of anon-extendible portion of a ((corner) support) post, extendible upperportions of which can protrude beyond the header.

Movable Bracing

Movable transverse bracing can ‘track’, or follow, post spanvariability.

Thus, as a post ‘telescopes’ upwards or downwards, so a movable diagonalbracing strut between a post and deck, can be re-positioned, atdifferent inclinations, to reach an upper post end, where bracing actionis optimised—eg has more leverage or moment between post and deck.

Respective diagonal bracing between opposed posts can cross orintersect—and even be pinned together.

Thus bracing spars could ‘rove’ in adjacent respective adjustmentplanes, say upright from a deck, and shared with the associated post.

Bracing can be removably or demountably located upon both post and deckthrough pin and slot couplings, optionally with pin locking provision.

Flexible Capacity

Broadly, container transportation costs and charges reflect the volumeenclosed.

Whilst the ‘footprint’, or base area, is largely constrained, forconformity with standard dimensions, there remains some scope fordifferent height, or depth—to reflect particular load configurations.

So, relatively shallow or tall container configurations could becontrived, on a common platform.

Depth variability can reduce redundant voids around, and in particularabove, loads.

Moreover, multiple discrete shallow containers can be stacked one uponanother.

Stacking can be to a standard container height or depth, or multiplesthereof.

An overhead crane lift or hoist can address containers of such differentheight, with the same suspension fitting locations, reflecting thecommon footprint or plan.

Design Considerations

Whether for internal capacity variation of external route constraints,provision of reliable, fail-safe, yet economic height or depthvariability poses special design considerations.

Generally, a standard container has a rectangular base platform,surmounted by support posts or struts, typically at, or (closelyadjacent) each (corner) support.

Intermediate Post Location

Some aspects of the present invention envisage support posts atintermediate positions, for example mid-span, or somewhat offset from,inboard, or outboard (say, on chassis rail extensions) from the (corner)support extremities of a base platform.

Open vs In-Fill Side Walls

The container may be open, or open-sided, that is configured as an openlattice with no in-fill spanning between (corner) support posts.

Roof

Alternatively, a greater or lesser degree of side wall and indeedoverlying roof in-fill may be provided.

Collapsibility—Posts & Walls

Some (collapsible) container variants have folding (eg hinged orpivoted), demountable, or removable, such (corner) support posts.

Similarly, some container variants have a plurality of side walls.

In practice, sides walls may be configured as in-fill panels between(corner) support posts.

Thus, collapsible containers with folding [say hinged or otherwisepivotally mounted to the base] or even removable side walls are known.

Flat-Rack

A common configuration is a base with folding opposed endwalls—sometimes referred to as a ‘flat-rack’—which allows a compactcollapsed, flat-bed, container configuration for return-empty, with onecollapsed container stacked upon another.

Terminology

For convenience of terminology in this disclosure—and leaving asideoverall container orientation—the dimension, or dimensional axis,orthogonal to the base is regarded as the height, or depth. This assumesa level base reference plane.

Statement of Invention

According to one aspect of the invention, an adjustable-span supportpost, for a container, has relatively movable post elements, carryingcontainer end capture and handling fittings, to accommodate differentinternal load heights, and to meet external profile constraints,—such asfor tunnel gauge through—passage.

Telescopic

Thus some variants of the invention could comprise essentially atelescopic strut with an internal latching, locking and adjustmentprovision.

Folding Post Extension

Other variants could employ mutually inter-coupled, hinged post or strutelements, with a relatively shorter element hinged to upper end of arelatively longer element.

Header

Opposed pairs of (corner) support posts or struts at the same end of acontainer could be bridged, say, at or adjacent their upper ends, ormid-set, by a transverse bracing beam, or header, spanning the entirecontainer width.

The header could itself be movable, along with, or relative to,attendant (corner) support posts—by say extension or retraction ofsupporting (corner) posts, or by some elevator (say, ram, cable or chainhoist) provision carried by the posts.

In this way, the header could be selectively transposed between anoptimum bracing position, for load transit, and a ‘clearance’ positionfor end load access.

Similarly, loads of various height or depth could be accommodated—andeven allowed to protrude somewhat beneath a header.

This would be particularly useful in a dedicated vehicle transporter,with vehicle bonnets/hoods or boots/trunks allowed to protrude somewhatbeyond a deck.

Moreover, the header could be split, or fragmented, with sayco-operative header ‘gate’ portions, individually pivotally mounted fromopposite (corner) support posts, and which could be uncoupled and swungaside, for end load access.

Tunnel Gauge

In railway wagons the overall container profile must conform with aprofile or cross-section, which takes account of tunnel gauges andoverhead obstructions, such as signal gantries and power supplycatenary.

In the case of tunnels, the external constraint is not rectangular inform, but rather of tapering or waisted upper profile into a concavearch.

In order to accommodate this, a transverse bracing beam, bridge orheader may have a ‘tunnel gauge’ outer/upper profile—such as a steppedarcuate form—for conformity with road or, more likely, railway tunnelsectional constraints.

It is known, per WO90/01007, to profile the bridge piece into acomplementary arched form.

Of its nature, such an arched beam protrudes, at least at its mid-span,somewhat above the height of the (corner) support posts—which, being atthe outer extremities of the container footprint, have their heightconstrained by the tunnel gauge.

The support posts may have extendible end portions, to allow selective‘re-assertion’ of container height (or depth) for the stacking andpick-up points, when so allowed, outside tunnel gauge constraints.

Reversion to tunnel gauge profile conformity, simply requires retractionof the (temporary) localised post extension.

Statement of Invention

One aspect of the present invention provides a container with extendablesupport posts, disposed in opposed pairs about a deck, and spanned by atransverse bracing beam or header, with an upper post element,selectively extendible, to at, or above, the level of the header, foraccess to container capture and handling fittings carried thereby.

This enables overall container capture by, say, an overhead cradle,itself suspended, by a sling, from an overhead crane (jib or gantry).

An alternative means of raising (and lowering) ((corner) support) postupper ends and attendant (capture) fittings could employ opposed pairsof hinged arms.

These arms could be pivoted—at their inboard ends—to the arch and carrythe capture fittings at their outboard ends.

The capture fittings can be brought generally level with, or somewhatabove, the arch span, by pivoting the arms about their respectiveinboard ends.

Post Span Adjustment Mechanism

In principle, a diversity of (relative positional adjustment)mechanisms—disposed, either internally (ie within hollow postcross-sections) and/or externally—could be employed—either singly or incombination—to effect or implement relative movement, (re-) dispositionand/or (re-) orientation, of multiple discrete individual post elements.

Thus, for example, a pulley and cord (eg wire rope, cable or chain)could implement raising (or ‘jacking’), or lowering of post elements, bytraversing the cords—or a continuous cord loop—about rotating pulleys.

The (threading or looping) path of cords about a pulley array adoptedcould reflect the desired mechanical advantage, or velocity ratio, ofpost lift and movement span.

Alternatively, a rack and pinion drive could be employed, with a lineararray of rack teeth upon a rack carried by one post element, engageablewith a rotary toothed pinion, or non-rotary pawl or claw, mounted uponanother post element.

The need for either an active drive, or passive follower, mechanism ineach of at least four (corner) support posts imposes a costmultiplier—dictating cost-effective solution.

Statement of Invention

According to another aspect of the invention, an adjustable-span,support post, comprises a manually-operable connecting, latching andsupport bar, pivotally mounted, at one end, upon one of the elements,with its other end selectively insertable in a recess or notch, in acapture block or plate(s) carried by the other element.

Rectilinear or Rectangular Support Bar Profile

A rectilinear, or rectangular, cross-section bar profile—andcomplementary rectilinear, or rectangular, support and/or capturesurface profile are desirable, in order to spread loads more evenly,than say a round section.

The connecting bar could be entrained to one of the elements through acapture pin, which forms a (slack) pivot for the bar.

The other end of the connecting bar could carry a transverse cross-bar,in a ‘T’-bar termination, to locate—and be held securely fast—withinspaced slots in a gate fastened to the other member.

A desirable option is to embody a slight slant or cant to the slotorientation in relation to the connecting bar load transmission axis, sothat loading tends to drive the ‘T’-bar termination transversely, evenmore securely into the slot.

Thus, in order to release the connecting bar, a combination of loadrelief and deliberate longitudinal and lateral displacement is required.

In addition, a separate or discrete latch or lock mechanism could beselectively operable to inhibit inadvertent displacement of theconnecting bar from its end restraint.

Adjacent the ‘T’-bar could be provided a handle for manual operation ofthe connecting bar.

In the case of hollow enclosed (telescopic) post sections, the handlecould be accessed through a (generous) aperture in the side wall of theouter post element, with location slots for the ‘T’-bar terminationvisible through other, smaller, apertures.

As a minimum only two operational heights need be accommodated—reflectedin fully extended and fully retracted (corner) support post conditions.

In the or each condition, the post height is desirably securely locked,to withstand either compression or stacking loads or tension orsuspension loads.

In a particular construction, multiple—ie two or more—post elements aremutually telescopic.

Thus an upper element could be fitted within a lower element—or viceversa.

Telescopic Profiles

Telescopic requires element profiling to accommodate another element.

One cross-sectional profile could embrace another, or the profiles couldinter-nest. The element cross-sections could be open or closed—such ashollow inter-fitting cross-sections.

Element cross-sections may be complementary, for snug inter-fit—or quitedisparate, such as, say, a circular-section, or tubular, inner element,freely locatable within a rectangular (eg square) section outer element.

For open sections, a diversity of profiles may be adopted, such as(inter-nesting) ‘I’-beams, (right or acute) angle ‘V’-sections,‘C’-sections, or the like.

Statement of Invention Review

Reviewing various aspects of the invention:

{Adjustable Post Span & Transverse Bracing Header}—A container maycomprise a load deck, with a plurality of upstanding support posts,carrying at their respective upper ends, container capture and handlingfittings, and a transverse header beam between posts on opposite decksides, the post span being adjustable, to present the capture andhandling fittings, for access above the header.

Whilst post adjustability is advantageous with a header, for access toend fittings, a header, and attendant profiling or header adjustability,could be used with a non-adjustable post—say to provide transversebracing.

Similarly, ancillary post-mounted features, such as end access and/orload restraint gates, doors or split-headers, along with deck coupling,are not confined exclusively to adjustable posts.

{Tunnel Gauge/External Constraint Conformity}—The post span may beretractable, to bring the container cross-section, to within an externalconstraint, to allow container through passage—such as within aprescribed tunnel gauge.

{Mobile Header}—A header may be movably mounted.

{Header Mounting Upon Movable Post Elements}—A header may be mountedbetween movable opposed post elements.

{Header As End Gate}—A header may be disposed to determine deck endaccess and load restraint.

{Transverse Bracing}—A header may provide transverse bracing.

{Deep Header}—A header may be of deep cross-section, and configured as abeam, barrier, wall, gate or door.

{Split Header}—Discrete movable header portions may be individuallymounted upon respective support posts.

{Split Header As Gate}—Header portions may be disposed as movable endgates, or doors.

{End Gates & Coupling}—End gates or doors may be hung in opposed pairs,from respective support posts, with a gate coupling, operable to combinethe gates, into a transverse post brace.

{Gate-To-Deck Coupling}—A coupling may be operable between a gate anddeck, for attendant support post bracing.

{Multiple Deck Gate Coupling}—Multiple decks may share a common end gateor door, with couplings operable between decks and gate.

{Mobile Bracing}—Mobile bracing, for individual support posts may, beprovided between extendible post elements and a transverse rail betweenposts, movable with post element extension.

{Dedicated Vehicle Transporter}—A container may be configured fordedicated vehicle transportation.

{Railway Wagon}—A container may be configured as a railway wagon.

{Support Post & Connector Bar}—A support post of adjustable span maycomprise relatively movable post elements, inter-coupled by a connectorbar.

{Connector Latch}—A support post may have connector bar to post elementlatching, for pre-determined, relative positional adjustment.

{Movable Brace}—A support post of with a transverse brace—for exampleconfigured as a diagonal strut or tie—movable to track post adjustment.

Embodiments DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

There now follows a description of some particular embodiments of theinvention, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdiagrammatic and schematic drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A through 1C show longitudinal sectional views of a telescopic,two-part, (corner) support post or strut, of complementary, mutuallyinter-fitting upper and lower post elements, with an integral (manual)operating, latching and support bar, in various operating conditions.

Thus, more specifically:

FIG. 1A shows a post in a fully elevated or extended condition, with anoperating bar latched in an (upper) support position, impeding elevationor retraction of an upper movable post element;

FIG. 1B shows a post in an intermediate condition, between fullextension of FIG. 1A and full retraction of FIG. 1C, with operating barunlatched; and

FIG. 1C shows a post in a fully retracted or lowered condition, withoperating bar latched in a (lower) position, impeding post extension.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show longitudinal sectional views of the post of FIGS.1A through 1C, but taken from another side.

Thus, more specifically:

FIG. 2A shows the post in its fully extended condition, with attendantoperating bar latching and support, under spring bias; and

FIG. 2B shows the post in its fully retracted condition, with operatingbar retracted against an internal spring bias.

FIGS. 3A through 3C show corresponding sectional views of an adjustable(corner) support post construction and operational stages to those ofFIGS. 1A through 1C respectively—but of a variant construction, withmultiple slot latch detent, for a swing-action connecting bar betweenupper and lower post elements.

Thus, more specifically:

FIG. 3A shows an internal operating, latching and support swing bar,latched in an upper support position, with the (upper) post elementfully extended;

FIG. 3B shows the mechanism of FIG. 3A, but with the swing bar(temporarily) unlatched, to allow relative (telescopic) re-positioningof (upper and lower) post elements; and

FIG. 3C shows the mechanisms of FIGS. 3A and 3B, with the swing barlatched in a lower detent position, with the (upper) post elementretracted somewhat.

FIGS. 4A through 4C show another variant of the (corner) support postadjustability to FIGS. 1A through 3C, incorporating a toothed rack andcomplementary (non-rotary) pinion or pawl.

Thus, more specifically:

FIG. 4A shows an operating, latching and support bar latched in an upperdetent position on a position indexing rack, with an upper post elementfully extended;

FIG. 4B shows the operating bar of FIG. 4A unlatched, allowing relativere-positioning movement of upper and lower post elements; and

FIG. 4C shows the operating bar of FIGS. 4A and 4B in a lower detentposition on the positioning rack, with the upper post element fullyretracted.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show an alternative (corner) support post extensionfacility, by hinging an end post element.

Thus, more specifically:

FIG. 5A shows an ‘erected’ (corner) support post upper end element,deployed to overlie, and align with, a lower (corner) support postportion; and

FIG. 5B shows the end element of FIG. 5A swung down about the upper endof a lower (corner) support post element, to shorten the overall postlength and so height;

FIGS. 6A through 6C show sectional views of an open-top container, within-filled side walls and (corner) support post extension and stacking,and in which a cargo is allowed—albeit temporarily (say, between dockingstations)—to protrude locally somewhat above the container notional rooflevel, whilst confined within the base footprint of a load supportplatform.

Thus, more specifically:

FIG. 6A shows an upwardly protruding cargo in a single container;

FIG. 6B shows localised (corner) support post (telescopic) extension(such as by the mechanisms of FIGS. 1A through 2B, or FIGS. 3A through3C, or FIGS. 4A 5 through 4C), to bring capture fittings, carried attheir upper ends, to an access position somewhat above the protrudingcargo level; and

FIG. 6C shows stacking of the containers of FIG. 6A, with lower (corner)support posts extended as in FIG. 6B, to match or somewhat beyond cargoprotrusion.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show end elevations of an open-sided, container, withopposed (corner) support posts, mutually braced, by a transverse bridgeor header beam, spanning their upper ends; and configured for use as arailway wagon, with bespoke contouring or profiling, for conformity withprescribed tunnel gauges.

Thus, more specifically:

FIG. 7A shows a container with (corner) support posts retracted, togenerally below header beam height, to allow tunnel gaugethrough-passage of the container, with a certain intervening workingclearance; and

FIG. 7B shows the container of FIG. 7A, with (corner) support postsextended, to generally at, or somewhat above, header beam height, foraccess to container handling end fittings.

FIGS. 8A and 8B reflect a variant of the variable load capacitycontainer of FIGS. 6A through 6C through support post extension,combined with a variant of the bracing header configuration of FIGS. 7Aand 7B; and in which the header itself is carried upon extendiblesupport posts to accommodate taller loads, yet individually furtherextendible, for access to end capture fittings.

Thus, more specifically:

FIG. 8A shows a movable header beam in an extended position, for greaterload height or depth capacity, and for greater (end) access upon (un)loading; and

FIG. 8B shows the movable header and attendant support posts retracted,to fit within an external tunnel gauge profile constraint.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show a variant of FIGS. 8A and 8B, using a movableheader, configured as a traveller upon opposed lateral support posts,themselves with individual extendible ends, and with a deeper sectionheader ‘throat’ profile, for enhanced transverse bracing and overallcontainer torsional rigidity—and also available to form and end accessbarrier for load restraint.

Thus, more specifically:

FIG. 9A shows a deep header in an extended position, for greater loadheight or depth capacity and enhanced (end) load access; and

FIG. 9B shows the deep header, and attendant support posts, retracted tofit an external tunnel gauge profile constraint.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show—respectively in erected and collapsedconditions—front elevations of a double-deck or two-tiered vehicletransporter, with provision for relative deck height and spacingadjustment, together with an adjustable over-frame for conformity withstandardised rail tunnel profiles.

Thus, more specifically:

FIG. 10A shows a tiered container in an ‘erected’ configurationpreserving an overall rectangular outer boundary profile, allowingaccess to handling and support fittings, carried on hinged ‘ears’ or‘wings’, at the upper corners; and

FIG. 10B shows the container of FIG. 10A re-configured into an arch-topprofile, with opposite upper corner ears retracted to fit within aprescribed (railway) tunnel gauge, temporarily precluding access tohandling fittings; if necessary the load could be repositioned, by saybringing an upper deck towards a lower deck.

FIG. 11 shows a three-dimensional perspective view of an open-sidedcontainer, with individually adjustable (telescopic) corner supportposts—for example incorporating the operating, latching and supportmechanism of FIGS. 1A through 2B—to achieve alternative overall loadheights, including those meeting prescribed containerisationconfiguration standards.

FIG. 12 shows a three-dimensional perspective view of a dedicatedrailway container, such as depicted in FIGS. 7A and 7B, with opposedpairs of (corner) support posts, at opposite ends of a platform chassis,braced at their upper ends by an arched bridge header beam, to achievean overall sectional profile meeting a prescribed railway tunnel gauge;and with extendable upper portions of the corner posts to bring capturefittings at their upper ends above the arch level and thus accessible toan overhead support cradle carried by a suspension sling.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show opposed hinged end gates, set at mid-height.

Thus, more specifically:

FIG. 13A shows shallow-depth end gates, set at an intermediate heightabove a container platform deck and hinged from respective opposed(corner) support posts, closed—and lying transversely of an underlyingcontainer deck, to impede end access and serve as an end load restraintand, when inter-coupled, (say, latched or locked together) to providetransverse bracing; and

FIG. 13B shows the end gates of FIG. 13A uncoupled and swung open, toallow container end access;

FIGS. 14A and 14B show a variant of the intermediate-set end gates ofFIGS. 13A and 13B, contrived by a split transverse header beam, withopposed hinged header beam portions configured as end gates.

Thus, more specifically:

FIG. 14A shows a split header with opposite header gate portions closedtogether, and desirably inter-coupled to impart transverse bracing,impede end load access and serve as end load restraint; and

FIG. 14B shows the split header gate portions of FIG. 14A uncoupled andswung open for end load access.

It should be appreciated that the spilt header gates of FIGS. 14A and14B could be combined with the header mobility of FIGS. 8A and 8B orFIGS. 9A and 9B, or simply in conjunction with extendible (corner)support posts of FIGS. 7A and 7B.

FIGS. 15A and 15B show a variant configuration and role for movable endgates, to those of FIGS. 13A and 13B or FIGS. 14A and 14B, for bracingother container elements, in particular (corner) support posts and deckplatforms; and applicable to either single or multiple-deck,differential deck height, container configurations.

A particular application would be as a dedicated vehicle transporter,configured as a railway wagon.

Thus, more specifically:

FIG. 15A shows a single deck container configuration, with deep endgates, extending down to deck platform level, hung from opposed supportposts, and movable to align either longitudinally with the deck sides(and in doing so allowing end access), or transversely across the deck(impeding end access and providing end load restraint)—in either casewhen, coupled to the deck, (for example, by latches or slide bolts), tobrace an attendant post to the deck; and

FIG. 15B shows a multiple (in this case twin) deck container, with endgates (temporarily) aligned longitudinally with the sides of both decks,and secured thereto, with adjustable pin and slot coupling, throughremovable coupling pins and an array of apertures in the gate wall, formutual deck interconnection and bracing.

FIGS. 16A through 16C show the integration of extending (corner) supportposts and an end wall, employing a variant telescopic support post,along with movable diagonal bracing to a post upper end, over its rangeof movement.

Post latching and support is through a slotted movable upper postelement and co-operatively inter-fitting sliding (tongue) plate, with anoperating mechanism located within a transverse (end gate) beam).

Thus, more specifically:

FIG. 16A shows a part cut-away, part-sectioned, end elevation of atelescopic support post, with a lower (static) post element serving asan upright to an end frame assembly, itself more readily apparent fromFIGS. 17A and 17B;

FIG. 16B shows an elevation of the telescopic post assembly of FIG. 16A,taken from another side, showing a sideways or end-on view of multiplespaced, elongate rectangular profile, (load spreading) slots, disposedin a linear array along the span of a movable upper post element; and

FIG. 16C shows a section of FIG. 16B, depicting the location, span andlateral spread of a locking and support tongue, in relation to an innermovable upper post element and a stationary outer post and end framemember.

FIGS. 17A through 17C show end elevations of a container with telescopic(corner) support post adjustment, such as by the construction of FIGS.16A through 16C, laterally bounding an end wall, but with respectiveupper portions extendible above the wall and fitted with opposed(movable) diagonal bracing.

Thus, more specifically:

FIG. 17A shows variability—through superimposed multiple alternativedispositions—in diagonal bracing disposition, for tracking variousdegrees of post extension;

FIG. 17B shows opposed diagonal bracing bar (ties or struts), forfully-extended posts, with a common cross-coupling or inter-pinning oflower brace ends; and

FIG. 17C shows a sectional detail of common cross-pinning of diagonalbracing struts of FIGS. 17A and 17B, through a twin yoke, to atransverse rail bounding an upper side of an end wall, and within whichthe post latching of FIG. 16A can be accommodated.

FIG. 18 shows a ‘T’ or ‘I’-section folding end wall frame, with integralspaced capture fittings, upon extendible mountings, carried by an uppercross-bar; overall in a collapsible flat-rack container configuration,foldable into a complementary profiled recess in a base deck platform,with power drive assistance.

When erected the ‘T/I’ frame impedes end access and serves as an endload restraint to the deck platform, along with provision for containerhandling.

The ‘T/I’ frame dispenses with the need for individual full-height(corner) support posts, in favour of extendible stub posts.

Nevertheless, where a loading regime dictates, supplementary uprightbracing posts could be fitted to span between the upper and lowertransverse beams—either demountably or accommodated in deck recesses, inthe manner of FIG. 19.

With the ‘T/I’ frame folded into the deck platform recess, a compact,stackable, overall flat-pack container configuration is achieved, forreturn-empty/unladen mode.

FIG. 19 shows folding individual telescopic corner support posts,collapsible—upon (full) retraction—into respective (complementaryprofiled) recesses in a base deck platform, with spring bias assistance.

DISCUSSION OF DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings, variant constructions of telescopicallyadjustable (corner) support posts or struts 12 are depicted in FIGS. 1Athrough 2B, FIGS. 3A through 3C and FIGS. 4A through 4C.

For convenience, the same references are use for corresponding parts ofcommon structure in those variants.

The posts 12 are depicted generally upright, for installation at certainstrategic locations (the corner extremities being a particular case)upon a container deck (not shown), such as that of the other embodimentslater described.

How ver, demountable, collapsible, folding, or tilting, post variants,such as of FIG. 19, are tenable, with the same inner construction.

Similarly, the posts 12 may be installed along with other features, suchas folding end portions, such as of FIGS. 5A and 5B; transverse headers,such as of FIGS. 7A through 10B; end gates, such as of FIGS. 13A through15B; and diagonal bracing, such as of FIGS. 16A through 17C.

In FIGS. 1A through 4C, a longitudinally (or lengthwise) adjustable,elongate (corner) support post 12 comprises an upper (and inner) postelement 14, configured as a telescopic sliding fit, within a hollowlower (and outer) post element 15.

Broadly, the post 12 is extendable, between a fully erected or extendedcondition, depicted by its uppermost end level 25A of FIG. 1A—and afully retracted or lowered condition, depicted by a corresponding otherupper level 25B in FIG. 1C.

The post 12 carries, at its upper end, a handling, suspension andsupport ‘capture’ fitting 18 (such as a proprietary so-called‘twist-lock’).

The capture fitting 18 is generally compatible with, or conforms to,prescribed containerisation standards, to allow container lifting andstacking—such as with crane or dedicated loader vehicle (overhead orside gantry and jib) lifts at container ports.

An internal, manually-operable, inter-connection, latching and supportmechanism determines the relative post element deployment dispositions.

More specifically, a combined (inter-)connecting, operating, latchingand support bar 16 is configured as a depending or hanging swing arm,carried internally of, and selectively operable between, the upper andlower post elements 14, 15.

The connecting bar 16 carries a retention ring or entrainment loop 13 atits upper end, receiving a locating and support pin 17, carriedindirectly by the lower end walls of the upper post element 14.

The bar 16 thus effectively hangs, suspended from the pin 17, itself(rotatably) supported upon a cross-plate or bridge 27, within the upperpost element 14.

The lower end of the connecting bar 16 carries a transverse ‘T’ bar 26,and adjacent handle 28.

The ‘T’ bar 26 is locatable in a selectable one of a series (in thiscase a pair) of longitudinally-spaced abutment stops, (inclined) supportledges, ramp surfaces or profiled detent slots 22, 23, in (pair ofspaced) latch plates 21, themselves secured to the inner wall of thelower post element 15, at lower-mid span.

When ‘sat’ upon the upper ledge 22, the ‘T’ bar 26 can transmit stackingloads from the upper post element 14 downwards to the lower post element15.

An internal transverse bridge plate 29 within the mid-upper portion ofthe lower post element 15, overlies the upper ledge 22 and the ‘T’ bar26 when resting thereupon—and so restrains the ‘T’ bar 26 from movementaway from the upper ledge 22, upon lifting loads, relayed to theconnecting bar 16, through the upper post element 14.

Thus, the connecting bar 16 can relay either, or both, lifting andstacking loads between upper and lower post elements 14, 15.

For the upper support ledge 22, a modest degree of ledge inclination orslope (downward and to the right as shown in FIGS. 1A through 1C) issufficient to encourage, promote or bias the ‘T’-bar downwards andinward—once ‘inserted’, that is with its underside resting upon theupper ledge 22, and so able to carry downward (eg stacking) load, fromthe upper post element 14.

In the fully retracted post condition, of FIG. 1C, the ‘T’ bar 26 islocated beneath the abutment ledge 23.

Supplementary ledges or slots could be incorporated in the latch plate21, to provide additional rest positions for the relative disposition ofpost elements 14, 15.

Similarly, additional ‘T’ bars or the like could be fitted to theconnecting bar, to provide bi-directional latching—ie restraint againsteither or both suspension and stacking loads.

A security lock, in this case a pivoted or rotary pawl detent 24, isoperative,‘as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1C, to bear against the lower end ofthe connecting bar 26, in order to retain it securely in one or other ofthe detent slots 22, 23.

A compression bias spring 19 reacts between (to bias apart) the upperand lower post elements 14, 15, through end plates (not shown)—and soeffectively carries most, if not all, of the weight of the upper postelement 14, facilitating its mobility manually.

Bridging plates 27, 29 in the upper and lower post elements 14, 15respectively, carry (directly or indirectly) spring 19 reaction loads.

The spring 19 is pre-compressed, even in the fully extended condition ofthe post 12, as shown in FIG. 1A—and is even further compressed in thefully retracted post condition, as shown in FIG. 1C.

The spring 19 axis could be slightly inclined to the post 12 axis, bysomewhat off-setting the opposite ends of the spring 19, to take up anylateral clearance or ‘play’ between the upper and lower post elements14, 15.

Similarly, by transferring a proportion of the spring 19 load to theconnecting bar 16 and aligning the spring 19 axis somewhat more to theconnecting bar 16, when swung to one side, a modest sideways or lateralbias component could be introduced, tending to urge the lower end of theconnecting bar 16 sideways—in this case to the right, as shown in FIGS.1A through 1C.

This in turn encourages the connecting bar 16 lower end more firmly andsecurely into the retention ledge 22, 23 in the latch plate 21 in thelower post element 15.

Operationally, in order to adjust the relative dispositions of the upperand lower post elements 14, 15, the detent 24 is initially ‘disabled’—inthis case, by rotating the pawl.

This allows the connecting bar 16 to be swung to one side, using thehandle 28—such as depicted in FIG. 1B, in order to unlatch the ‘T’ barfrom the ledge 22.

By pulling downward upon handle 28, against the spring 19, the upperpost element 14 can be brought downward—ultimately to the fullyretracted condition depicted in FIG. 1C—whereupon the ‘T’ bar 26 can bere-located beneath the lower ledge 23 on the underside of the latchplate 21.

The in-filled arrows in FIGS. 1B and 1C reflect the handle and detentmovement and attendant relative post element adjustment.

The handle 28 is accessible through a generously-sized aperture (notshown) in the lower side wall of the lower post 15.

Similarly, smaller viewing apertures (again not shown) are incorporatedin the lower side wall of the lower post 15, in the region of, andsomewhat around the ledges 22, 23, to enable an operator to deploy the‘T’ bar in relation thereto.

Generally, the transverse pin 17 serves for both location and retentionof the upper post element 14—and can be inserted in, or removed from,the upper post element 14, for ease of assembly and dis-assembly.

Once the pin 17 is removed, the upper post element 14 is effectivelyreleased, and so can be withdrawn and separated from the lower postelement 15—urged initially by release of the pre-compression of thespring 19.

The cross-sectional profile and dimensions of the pin 17 can be asomewhat ‘slack’ or loose fit in a transverse locating aperture, orthrough hole (not apparent) in the upper post element 14, to accommodatelateral swinging action of the connecting bar 16.

Profile

In the embodiments, the (support) pin 17 is depicted as a (cross) barwith a rectangular, in particular square, shank—but other profiles orcontours are tenable.

That said, rectilinear profiles are generally preferred, for pin or barand attendant support surface, for more effective load spreading, thanmay be obtainable with curved, in particular round or circular profiles,such as are commonly used for pin and slot inter-location.

Load concentration locally, promotes premature wear and even failure anda close-inter-fit or conformity may prove more difficult to achieve andsustain.

Multi-faceted—ie multiple flat faced—profiles (not illustrated) may alsobe tenable, although more complex to fabricate than a rectangular, inparticular square section.

In the variant of FIGS. 3A through 3C, individual notches 31, 33, in anindexing plate 32, provide multiple (in this case two) detents for thebar 16.

At each detent the bar 16, and therefor the upper past element 14, isrestrained from either upward or downward movement.

Greater incremental choice in detent location for the bar 16—and thusrelative disposition of the upper and lower post elements 14, 15—isafforded in the variant of FIGS. 4A through 4C, through a rack plate 36in the lower post element 15 selectively engaged by a complementarytoothed pawl 35 carried by the bar 16.

As an alternative—or indeed to supplement—the telescopic post approachto longitudinal span variability, a folding end post arrangement, suchas depicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B may be employed.

Thus, a stub post element 39, carrying a container capture and handlingfitting 40, is pivotally mounted upon a main post 38, through an offsethinge 37.

FIG. 5A depicts stub 39 erected and aligned with the main post 38, andFIG. 5B the stub 39 swung away to hang downwardly from the hinge 37,alongside the post 38.

A latch or lock (not shown) may be fitted between stub 39 and post 38 topreserve the selected relative disposition.

FIGS. 6A through 6C depict use of telescopic posts 42, such as of FIGS.1A through 4C, to accommodate variability in height or depth of a load48, upon a container platform deck 46.

Upper post extensions 43, carrying respective container capture andhandling fittings 44, can be deployed, from a retracted position,somewhat below the load 48, as depicted in FIG. 6A, to somewhat abovethe load 48, as depicted in FIG. 6B.

Post 42 extension enables another container 41B to be stacked upon alower container 41A, despite an otherwise protruding load 48.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a dedicated railway freight container 51,incorporating longitudinally adjustable or extendable (corner) supportposts 52, with upper post extensions 53, carrying capture and handlingfittings 54.

Post 52 construction could reflect that of FIGS. 1A through 4C.

Thus opposed pairs of (corner) support posts 52 surmount opposite endsof a common flat-bed, platform chassis 56 and are transversely braced,at their corresponding upper ends, by a bridge or header beam 55.

The header 55, or at least its upper surface, has an incremental orstepped arch, inverted ‘U’ or ‘C’-section, profile.

This is in order to fit within prescribed railway tunnel gauges 50, 60(depicted in FIG. 7A)—reflecting in this case UK national and Europeantrack standards, both imposing a more severe overall height restriction,in particular at the opposite container sides, than at mid-span.

Container profiles are generally rectangular, whereas railway (andindeed road) ‘bored’ tunnel sections are generally not.

Advantage needs to be taken of all the available height at any spanposition, in order to optimise load capacity—albeit, if necessary, withsome load (re-)disposition or configuration adaptation.

The arched profile of the bridge beam 55, extends above the height ofits lateral (corner) support posts 52, and so—absent specialprovision—would impede access to the capture fittings 54 (such asproprietary so-called twist-locks), located at the upper ends of thepost extensions 53.

Accordingly, provision is incorporated, for upper end post extensions53—as depicted in FIG. 7B, to bring the capture fittings 54 somewhatproud of the beam 55 and thus accessible to standard overhead suspensioncradles, from cranes or dedicated loader vehicles.

A similar consideration applies to container stacking—where again,unimpeded access to capture fittings 54 is required.

Thus the container 51, configured as in FIG. 7B—that is with (corner)support posts 52 extended at their upper ends 53—is available to supportan overlying container, whether of this same particular kind, or anothertype, meeting a common base foot-print standard.

FIGS. 8A through 9B depict transverse header mobility to accommodateinternal load height and external tunnel gauge diversity.

Thus, in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a header 65 is integrated with lateral postelements 67, fitted telescopically into lateral support posts 62, andspanning a deck 66.

Stub extensions 63, carrying capture and handling fittings 64, aredeployable, as depicted in FIG. 8A, to bring the fittings 64 above theheader 65.

A deeper section header 75 is featured in FIGS. 9A and 9B, is movablymounted, for travel upwards and downwards, in relation to a deckplatform 76, upon lateral support posts 72.

Header mobility also regulates container end access and load endrestraint.

The posts 72 retain end stub extensions 73, carrying capture andhandling fittings 74.

FIGS. 10A and 10B depict a multiple (in this case twin) stacked deck,dedicated vehicle transporter container 100, configured as a railwaycarriage.

The container 100 is generally of fixed inner loading profile, orinternal capacity, but variable outer profile—to address conflictingrequirements of meeting containerisation dimensional standards, forhandling and yet fitting railway through-passage limitations.

A (vehicle) load 112, 113 fits within the confines of a fixed-profileframe, of opposed support posts 101, surmounted by a transverse headerbeam 102.

The external upper profile of header 102 is adjustable, through multipleinterconnected links 103, 104, 105, for conformity with standard tunnelgauge, bridge or overhead gantry clearance—represented by (alternativebroken line) profiles 110 in FIG. 10B.

Operationally, reliance may placed upon an ability to bring vehicles onthe upper and lower decks somewhat closer together, after loading—forexample in the manner envisaged in the Applicant's co-pending UK PatentApplication No. 9911483.7.

FIG. 10A depicts a bounding frame 103, 104, 105 fully-erected, foroverall container 100 handling and stacking.

By erecting, from a collapsed condition (depicted in FIG. 10B)underlying support links 105, outer opposed ears 104, carryingrespective handling fittings 106, at their upper outermost ends, areswung upwards, about inboard pivots 107, at the outer ends of a centralbridge 103.

The links 103, 104 and 105 could be operated manually, from externallyof the container 100, and/or by coupling to telescopic mechanisms, suchas that described in FIGS. 1A through 1C, internally of the lateralsupport posts 101.

FIG. 10B depicts upper frame re-profiling, for conformity with astandard tunnel gauge profile, through which the carriage must fit forsafe running freedom.

Indeed, the entire upper header 102 could be re-profiled (that is bothinternally and externally—by omitting a fixed header), say to fit intocloser conformity with the load upper profile, when constrainedexternally by tunnel gauge transit.

Internal load support deck and attendant (vehicle) load re-disposition(not shown) could be used in conjunction with container outer contourre-profiling.

FIG. 11 shows a generalised container 41—such as of FIGS. 6A through 6B(the same references being used for corresponding parts).

Thus, an elongate rectangular platform deck 46 is surmounted at eachcorner extremity by an upright (telescopically adjustable) cornersupport post 42, with an extendible upper element 43, carrying a captureand handling fitting 44.

FIG. 12 shows a similar container to FIG. 11, but with the transverseheader of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the same references being used forcorresponding parts.

Thus telescopically adjustable (corner) support posts 52 are againgrouped in opposed pairs upon a platform deck 56, with an interveningfixed transverse header bracing beam 55, profiled for conformity with anexternal tunnel gauge 60.

An overhead cradle 81, suspended by slings 82, can address the capturefittings 54, once each post 52 is extended 53 to bring the fitting 54above the header beam 55.

FIG. 13A through 14B depict hinged mounting of gates or doors 157, 158,in pairs, upon opposed (corner) support posts 152 at a container end—thesame references being used for corresponding features.

The support posts 152 could reflect the telescopic constructions ofFIGS. 1A through 4C, with movable upper post elements 153 carrying acapture and handling fittings 154.

Such paired gates 157, 158 regulate end load access, end load restraintand, when closed and intercoupled, provide transverse bracing (betweenattendant posts)—promoting overall structural rigidity of the container.

Gate intercoupling is conveniently through marginal overlap of theoutboard (ie away from the inboard hinges) gate ends and cross-pins 159,which prevent gate opening and impede relative gate twisting movement inthe shared ‘closure plane’.

Upon uncoupling, the gates 157, 158 may be swung open to align with thecontainer sides, either projecting beyond the deck platform 156 orfolded back, as depicted in FIGS. 13B and 14B.

The gates 157, 158 could be demountable, say through a split hingemounting to the associated support posts 152.

In FIGS. 13A and 13B, the gates 157, 158 are set generally at anintermediate height, in relation to an underlying platform deck 156.

Such an intermediate gate disposition may be used in conjunction with anoverlying header (not shown) between upper post ends—or to substitute,albeit at a lower level, for the transverse bracing role of such anupper header, in a similar fashion, by tying together the associatedsupport posts 152.

On the other hand, in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the gates 157, 158 are set atthe upper ends of support posts 152, and when closed to lie transverselyof the deck platform 156, as depicted in FIG. 14A, can fulfil the roleof a header.

In that sense, the upper gates of FIGS. 14A and 14B can be regardedcollectively as a ‘split’ header (beam).

With either intermediate or ‘split-header’ configuration, gatedisposition, the particular height in relation to the deck platform 156,could be adjustable—say, by extension or retraction of the attendantsupport post.

Thus, in the case of FIGS. 14A and 14B, the split header could share themobility of the unitary header variants of FIGS. 8A through 9B.

FIGS. 15A and 15B reflect variant paired end gate or door 187, 188configurations, using a deeper door, extending downwards to couple witha platform deck 186, for enhanced post to deck bracing, even whenopened, and affording a greater area for overlap and inter-coupling,when closed.

FIG. 15A shows a single platform deck container, or flat-rack 180,whereas FIG. 15B shows a multiple deck container 190.

Again the same references are used for corresponding parts or features.

Paired gates 187, 188 are pivotally mounted, from hinges 194, uponopposed support posts 182, with extendible upper post elements 183,carrying capture and handling fittings 184.

Gate 187, 188 inter-coupling is by an array of apertures 192 andselectively deployed coupling pins 191.

Gate-to-deck coupling is through sliding bolt pins 193, locating inholes (not shown) in the deck or side chassis rail, or collar fittingson the side face thereof.

In FIG. 15B, an upper deck 189 is coupled to an ‘open’ (orlongitudinally aligned) door 187, through pin and slot couplings 191,192.

Thus, the apertures 192 in the doors 187, 188 are available forselective alignment with corresponding apertures (not shown) in sidebeams of the upper deck 189, allowing insertion of locating pins 191 tosecure the doors 187, 188 to the deck 189.

Pin or bolt coupling 193 can be used between doors 187, 188 and thelower deck 186, to which the lower door edges are closely adjacent.

In any event, the doors 187, 188 are indirectly coupled to the lowerdeck 181 through their hinged mounting upon associated posts 182,themselves fast with the deck.

The doors 187, 188 may also be demountable altogether, convenientlythrough split hinges 194—although this is not shown.

A variant telescopic support post 120 construction of FIGS. 16A through16C provides a robust, load-spreading, adjustment mechanism, and postbracing, through a transverse end wall and diagonal struts or ties, asdepicted in FIGS. 17A and 17B.

Overall container (torsional) rigidity is enhanced by such bracing.

Thus, a movable (upper) inner post element 121 telescopically inter-fitswith a fixed lower outer post element 122, constituting a side frame toan end wall 141.

A series of elongate, generally rectangular, profile slots 123 in theupper post element 121 are available for selective alignment with alocating and support tongue plate 125, with a handle 127, accessiblethrough an aperture (not shown) in the side wall of a transverse beam129.

The upper end of the movable post element 121 carries a capture andhandling fitting 136.

The upper end of the lower fixed post element 121 is secured to thetransverse beam 129, serving as an upper rail of the end wall 141.

A diagonal bracing bar 132—serving as strut or tie according to imposedcompression or tension loading—spans from the capture fitting 136 to thetransverse rail 129, as more readily appreciated from FIGS. 17A and 17B.

More particularly, the capture fitting 136 carries lateral lugs 139,with apertures (not shown), to locate a coupling pin 137, passingthrough an aligned aperture in the upper end of the link 132.

A similar removable coupling pin arrangement at the lower end of thelink 132 allows selective re-positioning upon a multiple slottedadjustment twin ‘U’ channel-section rail 142, surmounting the transversegate header beam 129 (FIGS. 17A-17C).

This configuration accommodates a corresponding diagonal bracing link133, from the upper end of an opposite (corner) support post 130, to thebeam 129.

FIG. 17A maps, by superimposition, the geometry of alternative post 120,130 extension and corresponding location of respective diagonal bracing132, 133.

The disposition lines representing opposed post bracing variouslyintersect at intermediate post extensions, but at full extension, asdepicted in FIG. 17B, the brace ends overlap and can be tied by a commoncoupling pin 148, as in FIG. 17C.

The entire support post, end wall and diagonal bracing assembly upstandsfrom a deck chassis beam 145—rigidly, demountably or movably, forexample by folding collapse over the deck or within a deck recess, muchas in the collapse recess arrangements of FIGS. 18 and 19.

Similarly, the end gate 141 could be fixed or movable.

A split gate construction is hinted at in FIG. 17B, with a centraldividing upright 146 in the end wall panel. This could carry diagonalbracing loads direct to the deck chassis 145.

A variant of container end wall collapse is explored in FIG. 18, for aplatform deck or flat-rack container 200.

A collapsible folding end frame 210 is of an overall ‘I’ or ‘T’configuration, with an centrally disposed leg 202, upstanding from apivoted transverse deck beam 207, and supporting an upper cross-beam208.

At the opposite outer ends of the cross-beam 208, subsidiary extendiblepost stubs 203 carry end capture fittings 204, for overall containerhandling.

A hydraulic or pneumatic actuator 209, primed by a pump 214 andoperating lever 213, reacts between the chassis 206 and a pivot bracket211, to swivel the transverse beam 207 and so tilt the entire end gate210—from a fully erected condition, upstanding from the deck asillustrated, to a collapsed condition (not shown), over an arcuate rangeof movement 216.

A bespoke complementary profiled recess 205 in the deck platform 206accommodates the end frame 210, when fully retracted.

FIG. 19 illustrates a corresponding arrangement to FIG. 18, butconfigured for individual folding support post collapse.

Thus, telescopic support post 222, with an extendible upper post element223 and end capture fitting 224, is carried by a pivot mounting 228 atits lower end, locatable, upon collapse, within a bespoke profiledrecess 225 in the deck platform 226 of a platform container 220.

A bias spring 229 is operative between the deck 226 and the pivotmounting 228 to assist post erection and/or collapse.

Component List

12 corner post or strut

13 capture ring

14 upper post element

15 lower post element

16 connecting bar

17 pivot & retention pin

18 handling and support capture fitting

19 compression spring

21 latch plate

22 recess/slot/ledge

23 underside

24 detent or lock

25A upper condition

25B lower condition

26 transverse or ‘T’ bar termination

27 plate

28 handle

29 plate

31 notch

32 index plate

33 notch

35 toothed pawl

36 rackplate

37 hinge

38 main post element

39 stub post element

40 capture and handling fitting

41A lower container

41B upper container

42 (telescopic) support post

43 upper post extension

44 capture and handling fitting

46 deck/platform

48 load

50 railway tunnel gauge

51 (railway freight) container

52 extendible (corner) support post

53 upper post extension

54 capture and handling fitting

55 arched bridge beam

56 platform chassis

60 railway tunnel gauge

62 support post

63 stub extension

64 capture and handling fitting

65 header

66 deck/platform

67 extendible post element

72 support post

73 stub extension

74 capture and handling fitting

75 header

76 deck/platform

81 overhead cradle

82 slings

100 container

101 support post

102 header beam

103 link

104 link

105 link

106 capture and handling fitting

107 pivot

110 tunnel gauge

112 vehicle load

113 vehicle load

120 telescopic support post

121 (upper) inner post element

122 (lower) outer fixed post element

123 slot

125 tongue plate

127 handle

129 transverse beam/end wall header rail

130 (opposite) telescopic support post

132 bracing link/brace

133 (opposite) bracing link/brace

136 capture and handling fitting

137 coupling pin

139 lateral lug

141 end wall

142 channel rail

145 deck chassis beam

146 central dividing upright post

148 coupling pin

152 support posts

153 upper post element

154 capture and handling fitting

156 deck/platform

157 gates/doors

158 gates/doors

159 cross-pin

180 (flat rack) container

181 deck platform

182 support post

183 upper post element

184 capture and handling fitting

186 (lower) platform deck

187 gate

188 gate

189 (upper) platform deck

190 (multiple deck) container

191 coupling pin

192 aperture

193 bolt

194 hinge

200 (flat rack) container

202 central leg/post

203 extendible post stubs

204 capture and handling fitting

205 recess

206 chassis

207 transverse deck beam

208 cross beam

209 hydraulic or pneumatic actuator

210 end frame

211 pivot bracket

213 operating lever

214 pump

216 arcuate range

220 (platform) container

222 support post

223 extendible upper post element

224 capture and handling fitting

225 recess

226 deck platform

228 pivot mounting

229 bias spring

1-19. Cancelled.
 20. A support post of adjustable length, comprisingfirst and second post elements movable axially of each other between aplurality of predetermined indexed positions, and a detent having a flatface bearing surface for engagement with the post elements to hold theelements in the indexed positions.
 21. The support post of claim 20wherein the bearing surface of the detent corresponds in size to asubstantial portion of the cross section of the post.
 22. The supportpost of claim 20 further including a transverse rail affixed to thefirst post element, with the detent being connected to an operatingelement which is movable relative to the rail.
 23. The support post ofclaim 20 further including a transverse rail affixed to the first postelement, and a diagonal brace having a first end which is pivotallyconnected to the second post element and a second end which can beconnected to the transverse rail at different locations along the railwhen the post elements are in different ones of the indexed positions.24. The support post of claim 20 wherein the detent comprises a pin withopposing flat faces for bearing stacking and suspension support loads.25. A detent for the support post of claim 20 having a pair of opposingsubstantially flat face bearing surfaces.
 26. A detent for the supportpost of claim 20 configured as a shallow flat plate.
 27. A containerhaving support posts as in claim 20 wherein the posts are retractable toreduce the cross section of the container to a size which can passthrough an opening of limited dimension.
 28. A container having supportposts as in claim 20 configured as a railway wagon with across-sectional profile which can be adapted to fit through passages oflimited dimension by adjusting the span of the support posts.
 29. Acontainer having support posts as in claim 20, with a header of deepcross section between posts configured as a beam, barrier, wall, gate ordoor.
 30. A container having support posts as in claim 20, with discretemovable header portions individually mounted upon respective ones of thesupport posts and together spanning between the posts.
 31. A containerhaving support posts as in claim 20, with discrete header portionsmounted on the support posts cooperatively disposed as movable end gatesor doors.
 32. A container with support posts as in claim 20 extendingfrom a deck, with a gate suspended from one of the posts, and bracingbetween the post with the gate and the deck.
 33. A container havingsupport posts as in claim 20 extending from a deck, with transversebracing between the posts and/or the deck, and means for connecting thebracing to the posts and/or the deck in different positions dependingupon the length of the posts to inhibit transverse racking loadsassociated with detent and post aperture interfit.
 34. A containerhaving a plurality of the support posts of claim 20 extending in anupward direction from a platform deck, with capture and handlingfittings at the upper ends of the posts, a transverse header beambetween posts on opposite sides of the deck, with the lengths of theposts being adjustable to present the capture and handling fittings foraccess above the header.
 35. A support post of adjustable length for afreight container, comprising a pair relatively movable post elementshaving index openings therein, and a flat-faced detent engagable withthe openings to retain the post elements in a predetermined position.36. A support post, comprising a first section mounted in a fixedposition relative to a base, a second section which is axiallyextensible relative to the first section, apertures in the first andsecond sections for indexed mutual alignment when the second section isextended or retracted to predetermined positions, and a flat-faceddetent plate for insertion into the apertures to locate and retainsections in a predetermined position relative to each other.
 37. Asupport post for a freight container, having a plurality of rectangularapertures of relatively short height for receiving detent pins ofcomplementary slender rectangular profile.
 38. A support post for acontainer, comprising an upstanding first section mounted in a fixedposition, a second section which is axially extensible relative to thefirst section, laterally extending rectangular openings in the twosections which are aligned with each other when the second section isextended to a predetermined position, and a relatively flat detent pinof rectangular cross section which can be inserted into the alignedopenings to hold the second section in the predetermined position.